Signal system and device



(51. A. JACKSON SIGNAL SYSTEM AND DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheei Filed March 8,192,4,

W 70 Cz'fy fire .Deparimeni flNVIENTGW e filfwd Jamsm BY mmwwm G. JCKSONSIGNAL SYSTEM AND DEVICE Filed March 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVIEN'ITDIRATTORNEY GEORGE ALFRED JACKSON, 0]? WALTHAIM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB,IB'Y MESNE A SIGNMJENTS, TO THE GAMEWIELL COMPANY, OF NEWTON,MASSACHUSETTS, A COR- PORATION 01F MASSAGHUSETTS.

SIGNAL SYSTEM AND DEVICE.

iltppl'icaticm filed March 13, 1924:. Serial No. tl97,773.

This invention relates to signal devices, and is particularly suited foruse where the transmission of certain code signals over a given signalcircuit should cause a signal in another circuit, but where accidentalbreaks or the .t'ormulation of certain. other signals in such firstnamed circuit will not cause any signal in such other circuit. Forexample,alarm systems are required by an increasing number of State andmunicipal authorities for warning the occupants of buildings in theevent of tire, so that they may make timely use of availableexittacilities; and it is generally recognized as important that thepublic fire department or private brigade should. be notified with leastpossible delay after fire is discovered in any building, and that, tothis end, the actuation of an alarm device for warning the occupants ofa building threatened by fire should also summon the fire department orbrigade whose'duty it is to extinguish such a Alarm systems haveheretofore been devised which comprise duplicate systems" of. wiringthroughout the protected premises,-

each communicating with all of the various initiating stations orso-called local fire alarm boxes,one of which circuits controls soundingdevices for warning the occupants, and the other of which circuits isemployed for causing an alarm to be given to the fire department orbrigade.

Such systems have, of necessity, been complicatedb v the provision ofmeans whereby so-called daily test signals comprising one or twosignaling impulses could be given over the circuit which controls localsounding devices, without thereby calling the fire department orbrigade; such test signals being required, almost without exception, bythe an thoritics \vho reqnire local signaling or alarm systems of thischaracter; It has also been found to be objectionablefor various reasonswhich will be readily understood by those skilled in this art, to leadcircuits of public fire alarm systems around private premises to be soprotected; and the cost of installing and maintaining independentcircuits for connecting such premises with the desired fire departmentsis, in most instances, considered prohibitively great.

The local fire alarmzboxes of such systems are usually arranged so that,when any box is acting, it will formulate a series of impulses in theassociated signaling circuit of such number and arrangement as toconstitute a code signal previously selected to characterize thelocality where such box is installed. However, notwithstanding thediversity thus entailed, all such code signals have some characteristicsof arrangement in common. For example,pursuant to the requirementsenforced in some localities, the code signals 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25would be employed to represent the respective floors of a five storybuilding; hence, the code signals of all local alarm boxes in suchbuildings would have in common the initial numeral 2, which numeral isrepresented by two signaling impulses separated by a comparatively shortinterval of time, as is well understood by those skilled in this art. Onthe other hand, the daily test signals employed in such systems mostfrequently consist of but one signaling impulse; and, even when suchtest signals comprise more than one impulse, the interval of time whichis allowed to elapse between succeeding impulses thereof should bedill'crent (usually much greater) than that between any two im pulses ofthe code signals of the local alarm boxes.

The occupancy of some classes of buildings is such that it is not deemednecessary to provide a local alarm system tor giving warning of tire tothe con'iparatively small number of occupants (as, for example, storagewarehouses) but the property values involved are so great that it isdeemed highly desirable to provide conveniently accessible stationsthroughout the premises. actuation of any one of which will cause.transmission of a signal in a public alarm system; as by the actuationof a so-callcd auxiliarized tire alarm box. It is generally recognizedthat dependability of service is distinctly promoted by the use ofnormally closed circuits for the tripping of such auxiliarized boxes, sothat warning may be promptly given in the event of the disablement ofsuch circuits; but it has also beenfound that such local circuits aresometimes subjected to accidental interruption which will cause thetransmission of a false signal over the public alarm system unlessundesirable circuit arrangements or complicated mechanism is employedfor the purpose of enabling differentiation to be made between acltdtill

cidental breaks and the actuation of local si naling stations, in theresponse of the auxi iarized box.

For want of a better term, the phrase functional signaling impulses isherein used to define those portions of signaling impulses which causeintended manifestations thereof,as, for example, the striking of a bellby its hammer (in contradistinction to the movement of a hammer awayfrom the bell) or the change in the condition of a signal circuit whichcauses a visible or audible manifestation, as either the breaking orclos ing of the circuit, (as the case may be) of which the manifestingmechanism should should give visible or audible manifestation.

It is an important general object of this invention to provide a devicefor causing response of signaling mechanism to functional signalingimpulses only when the time interval between some two of such impulseswhich have a predetermined characteristic of situation within the signalfalls Within the maximum and minimum limits of the time intervalsbetween some two of the functional signaling impulses of every signal towhich response of said signaling mechanism is desired.

A further general object is to provide such a signal device which willcause the desired signal when subjected to the impulses of a diversityof code signals having in common characteristics of arrangement ofsignaling impulses thereof which fall between certain predeterminedlimits, but which device will not act to cause the signal controlledthereby when subjected to a single impulse or to any group of impulseswhose arrangement does not fall within such predetermined limits.

It is a specific object of this invention to provide-a signal systemhaving signaling mechanism and signal initiating stations, all of whichstations are arranged for formulating respectively distinctivemulti-impulse code signals each having impulses which have apredetermined characteristic of situation within the signal and areseparated by time intervals the duration of which falls withinpredetermined maximum and minimum limits; together with a signal deviceresponsive to impulses such as those formulated by said stations andarranged to cause actuation of said signaling mechanism only whensubjected to impulses which have such characteristic of situation andare separated by time intervals the duration of which falls within suchlimits.

A still further object is to provide signaling mechanism of thecharacter described which shall be effective, reliable, and composed ofa small number of parts severally characterized by strength, durabilityand facility of assemblage as well as amenable to low cost ofmanufacture.

Still further objects and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds.

For the attainment of the foregoing generalobjects, this inventionresides in features of combination and arrangement whereby a signaldevice is arranged for response to functional signaling impulses havinga predetermined characteristic of situation within the signal andseparated by time intervals the duration of which falls withinpredetermined maximum and minimum limits, the range between which limitsis sufiicient to embrace the differences between the intervals betweenthose impulses of a'diversity of code signals in response to which it isdesired to cause functional act-nation of signaling mechanism,withoutcausing functional actuation of such signaling mechanism in response toimpulses separated by any interval the duration of which does not fallwithin such limits, whatever the character of such signaling impulses orof such signaling mechanism may be, but more particularly when suchimpulses consist of changes of a predetermined character in thecondition of a signal circuit and when such signaling mechanism is asignal transmitter suited for inclusion in a signal circuit.

For the purpose of exemplifying the more general features of thisinvention and for the further purpose of disclosing the more specificaspects thereof, reference is bad to the following detailed descriptionand to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference charactersindicate similar parts throughout,'and in which Figure l is a diagramschematically disclosing a typical signal system arranged to exemplifythis invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, and with one of the frameplates removed, of the signal device E of Fig. 1, showing in detail thearrangement of the mechanism thereof. and

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary views of certain parts of themechanism of Fig. 2, illustrating the relation ships assumed thereby atdifferent stages in the operation thereof.

The signal system diagramatically shown by Fig. 1 comprises initiatingstations A, sig nal manifesting mechanism comprising the bells B, acurrent source C, a signal transmitter D, and a signal device E havingelect-romagnet-ic controlling means comprising the electromagnet 21 andsignaling mechanism comprising the contacts 22.

As diagramatically indicated, each of the stations A comprisesmulti-impulse code signal initiating mechanism arranged for manualoperation; said stations being arranged for so-called normally closedcircuit operation and comprising mechanism which may be of any of thewell-known types ordinarily employed in such signaling stations.

The stat-ions A are serially connected with teeters one another, withthe manifesting mechanism 18, the current source G, and theelectromagnet 21 of the signal device E; so that'actuation of any one ofsaid stations will cause response of all of the bells B and of themechanism responsive to the electromagnet 21 ot' the signal device E, ashereinafter more fully-explained. The stations A and bells B maybedistributed around premises to be protected; said stations beingpreferably located at all points from which it may be desirable to sendsignals, and the bells B correspondingly distributed so as to be audibleat all points at which signalsshould be heard.

The relative arrangement of the stations A, the bells B and the currentsource C, as shown, is intended to be merely illustrative of a signalcircuit having multidmpulse code sig nal initiating stations; as thisinvention is equally well suited tor use with such circuits whether ofthe so-called open circuit or socallcd closed circult' type, andirrespective of the other illustrated features of construc-' tion andarrangement of said stations, bells, source and circuit.

The signal transmitter l) is an illustrative diagrammatic representationof any well known or conventional form of so-called auxiliarized lirealarm boa or other code signal transmitter arranged for remote control.-As shown, this transmitter comprises a controlling magnet 23, theenergization of which may cause the tripping of clock-work mechanism. asby movement of the lever 24 which "s shown as normally engaging thenotched disc '25 to prevent rotation of the code wheel 26. whichcooperates with the signaling contacts 27. The conductors 28 and 29 arerepresented as -lio'rmi-ng parts of a circuit to a city fire department;such circuit being assumed to be of the normally closed type, for

reasons well understood by those skilled in this art. The conductors 30and 31 connect the terminals of the magnet 23 with the contacts 22 oilthe signal device it).

More specifically, the current paths through the signal transmitter Dare as follows: The

conductors 29 and Ell are interconnected by the conductor 32, and alsoconnected through conductor 33 to-one terminal of themagnet 23'; theother terminal of said magnet is connected {through conductor 3t toconductor 30,

and said'conductors 3t and 30' are connected through conductor 35 to oneof the members ot'the signaling contacts 27, the other oil which contactmembers is connected through conductor 36 to conductor 28. The terminalsof magnet 23 are also connected through conductors 37 to-the normallyopen contacts 38 which cooperate with the disc 39 for a purpose whichwill be hereinafter more fully described.

lit should be understood that this invention is not limited to use inconnection with signal transmitters embodying the features andcharacteristics shown and hereinbcfore just described in greater detail,as any other form of transmitter may be substituted for that shown,provided that such transmitter is suited for control by either normallyopened or normally closed contacts corresponding to the contacts 22, orto be rendered active by any other suitable mechanism or device arrangeditor actuation in a manner analogous to that in which the contacts 22are arranged for response-to abnormal conditioning of the clectromagnet21, as hereinafter more fully explained. Considered in its broaderaspects, this invention is not limited to the use of a signaltransmitter such as the transmitter D, as signal responsive devices maybe directly controlled, in any suitable manner, by the controlling meansprovided for the contacts 22, as hereinafter more fully explained.

lln such broad sense, the contacts 22 (as well as any otherinstrumentality provided in lieu thereof, for corresponding actuation bythe mechanism of the device E) may be considered as constitutingsignaling mechanism.

As best shown in Fig.2, the signal device E comprises signalingmechanism, exemplified by the contacts 22 as just pointed out in greaterdetail; means arranged for response to a source of signaling impulses,exemplifiedby the electromagnet 21, its armature 4d, the lever 42 andthe arm 43 moving with said armature; and a retarded operative deviceexemplified by the cam lO and the train of gearing associated therewith,together with the arm at which is subject to'actuation by the cam and isarranged in cooperative relationship to the lever 4-2, as hereinaftermore fully explained.

The retractilc spring 45 is so applied to the lever 42 as to tend toswing same around its pivot 41-6 in such direction as will carry thearmature 41 away from the magnet 21; and the insulating pin 47 iscarried at the free end of the arm 43 in such position that movement ofsaid lever 4-2 in response to said spring 4-5 will tend to carry saidpin 47 into engagement with the contacts 22, to abnormally conditionsaid contacts.

Thecam 40 is driven in clockwise direction, (as viewed in Fig. 2 and asindicated by the arrow shown thereon) by the train of gears'hereinbetore referred to, which train terminates in the escape wheel48, the opera tion of which is retarded by engagement of its teeth withthe pallet 49. Suitable driving means is provided torthe train ofgearing such, for example, as a main spring (not shown) which may bewound by the rotation of shaft 50, carrying the ratchet wheel 51 whichcooperates with the dog 52; which dog is pivoted to the frame plate 54and is held in engagement with said ratchet wheel 51 by means of thespring 53; which spring is also secured to said frame plate 5t.

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The detent pins 55 and 56 are carried by the lever 42 and escape Wheel48, respectively, and said pins are so relatively positioned that, whenthe armature 41 is in fully attracted position, the pin 55 will bedisposed in the path of the pin 56, so that when said pin 56 is carriedinto engagement with said pin 55 it will serve to arrest the rotation ofthe escape wheel 48 at a time when said wheel is so-positioned that thecam and the projection 57 are situated as shown in Fig. 2, relative tothe portion 'of the arm 44 arranged for engagement by said cam andprojection; and said .pins 55 and 56 are further so relativelypositioned that said pin 55 will be carried out of the path of the saidpin 56 by movement of the lever 42 in response to the pull of springbefore such movement of said lever has proceeded to a point which willcause the arm 43 to carry the insulating pin 47 into operativeengagement with the contacts 22.

The pin 58 is carried by the arm 44 and is positioned for suchcooperation with the lever 42 as to permit movement of said lever suchas to cause functional actuation of the signaling contacts 22 only whensaid lever has been subjected to the influence of the magnet 21responsive to functional signaling impulses separated by time intervalsthe duration of which falls within certain predetermined limits, as willnow be more fully explained.

The portion of the lever 42 adjacent the pin 58 has .a shoulder 59formed therein, said shoulder being so positioned with relation to saidpin 58- that, when the arm 44 has been raised, either by the cam 40 orthe projection 57, to the position shown in Fig. 4, movement of saidlever 42 in response to the spring 45 will carry said shoulder 59 intothe path of said pin 58 and thereby prevent the falling of said arm 44so long thereafter as the magnet 21 remains deenergized. The portion ofthe lever 42 situated immediately below the shoulder 59. is so formedthat, when said pin 58 is in the position which it occupies when the arm44 is resting upon the cam 40 and said cam is in the position itoccupies when the running of the train has been arrested-by theengagement of the pin 56 with the pin 55, said lever 42 will bepermitted to move in response to the spring 45 oiily to a positionwhich, while withdrawing the pin from the path of the pin 56, will notcause the arm 43 to carry the insulating pin 47 into engagement with thecontacts 22.

The periphery of the cam 40 includes a deression of such depth that.during positionings of such cam which present this depression inoperative relationship with the arm 44, said arm will be permitted tomove to a position where the pin 58 carried thereby will permit thelever 42 to so move as to cause the arm 43 to carry the insulating pin47 into engagement with and to functionally actuate the contacts 22. Forwant of a better designation, such depression is herein referred to bythe term cutaway portion, which term would apply, in the case of a camsuch as that shown by the annexed drawings, to that portion of such camwhich is presented to the arm 44 during clockwise rotation of said cambetween that point at which the highest portion of said cam is firstwithdrawn from the path of said arm and that point at which the projee-'tion 57 is first brought into the path of said arm. The angular lengthof such cut-away portion is so related to the speed of rotationestablished therefor by the cooperation of the pallet 49 with the teethof the escape wheel 48, that the cut-away portion of said cam will bepresented to the arm 44 at the expiration of a time measured from thedisengagement of the detent pins 55 and 56, the duration of which timeis no greater than the shortest interval between the initial functionalimpulse (i. e., first circuit break) of the signal of any one of thestations A and that succeeding functional impulse of the signal of suchstation to which responsive action of the signaling contacts 22 isdesired; and so that such cut-away portion will thereafter continue tobe presented to said arm for a time the duration of which is not lessthan the difference between such shortest interval and the longest ofthe intervals between corresponding functional impulses of the signalsof the other of said stations A. Because of the possibility of thedevelopment of irregularities in the speed of operation of suchsignaling stations and signaling devices, it is prudent to shorten saidfirst named time and to lengthen said sccond named time so as to providea suitable factor of safety.

Practical experience has demonstrated that, in order to provide for suchvariations, the period throughout which the cut-away portion of the cam40 is presented to the arm 44 should be not less than one-half of theintended interval between successive functional signaling impulseswithin individual digits of code signals; such period should preferablybe increased beyond such one-half impulse interval, so as to afford agreater factor of safety; and such period must. in any event, be asgreat as the maximum difference bet ween the functional signalingimpulses of such diversity of code signals as are relied upon forcausing actuation of signaling mechanism such as that exemplified by thecontacts 2;.

For example,if the signaling stations A are all so arranged that thetime interval between successive functional impulses (circuit breaks)within a digit of a signal shall be substantially 1 second, and theintervals between the last impulse of one digit and first iii till

intervals between the first and second impulses of signals whose firstdigit is 1 will be 2% seconds; those between the first and thirdimpulses of signals whose first digit is two will be 3% seconds; andthose between the first and third impulses of signals whose first digitis three or more will be 2 seconds. Hence, when employed with suchinitiating stations, the cut-away portion of the cam should be presentedto the/arm 44 for a period commencing not more than 2 seconds after theinitial impulse (so as to provide for signals whose initial digitcomprises 3 impulses) and such presentation should continue throughout aperiod ending not less than 3% seconds from the initial impulse, so asto provide for signals whose initial digit comprises two signalingimpulses.

The operation of the embodiment of this invention shown by theaccompanying drawings and hereinbefore described in detail is asfollows.

The various parts are normally positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thecurrent path from the source C being closed, and the electromagnet 21 ofthe signal device B being therefore effectively energized. The currentpath from the city fire department circuit is from conductor 28, throughconductor 36,

-30 and 31 remains closed, the current flow through the winding ofmagnet 23 will be insullicient to cause effective energization thereof.

Because of the energization of magnet 21, armature 41 will occupy itsattracted position, as shown in Fig. 2; and therefore the shoulder 59will be withdrawn from the path of the pin 58, the arm 44 will restuponthe cam 40, and the detent pin 55 will be in the path of the pin 56andthereby prevent rotation of the escape" wheel 48.

If, noun-one of the initiating stations A is actuated, upon the firstfunctional signaling impulse resulting therefrom, as exemplified byinterruption of its circuit, the local signal manifesting mechanism 18will act to manifest such impulse, and the electromagnet 21 of thesignal device E will be deenergized, thus permitting the armature 41 tobe carried away from the magnet 21 by movement imparted to the lever 42by the pull of the spring 45..

Upon such deenergization of the magnet 21, the lever 42 will be moved bythe spring 45 so as to carry the pin out of the path of the pin 56;whereupon such movement of the lever 42 will be arrested by the pin 58before I rotation of the escape wheel 48 such as will cause the cam 40to raise the arm 44 to a position which will carry the pin 58 above theshoulder 59, whereupon the rise of said cam 40 will be withdrawn fromthe path of said arm. 44. The parts will now occupy the rela tivepositions indicated by Fig. 4.

As hereinbefore more fully explained, the stations A are so constructedand arranged that the code signal formulated incident to the operationof any one of said stations will be characterized by the occurrence,following the first functional signaling impulse thereof, of asupplemental functional signaling impulse spaced from such first impulseby an interval the duration of which is such that if the operation ofthe device E is initiated by the first of such impulses, as justdescribed, the closure preceding such supplemental impulse will occur ata time when the cut-away port-ion of the cam 40 is disposed in the pathof the arm 44, and the break of such supplemental impulse willthereafter cause deenergization of the magnet 21 before the projection57 is moved into engagement with said arm. Because of the constructionand arrangement of such stations A, as just referred to, the circuitfrom the current source will again be closed after the conclusion of asuitable interval following the first functional signaling impulseincident to the operation of the active initiating station A, and theelectromagnet 21 will then be again energized; thereby causing thearmature 41 and parts moving therewithto be restored to their normal orattracted position. Such movement of the armature 41 will cause thelever 42 to carry the shoulder 59 out of the path of the pin 58, and thearm 44 will thereupon drop to its lowest position, as indicated by Fig.5. After the arm 44'has assumed the position just described, thecontinued operation of the active initiating station A will cause asecond functional signaling impulse or interruption of the circuit fromthe current source C; thus not only causing response of the manifestingmechanism B, but also causing deenergization of the magnet 21 of thesignal device lE. Upon such deenergization of said magnet, the spring 45will swing the lever 42 to a position which will cause the arm 43 tomove the insulating pin 47 into engagement with the contacts 22 andthereby abnormally condition said contacts.

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\Vhen the contacts 22 are thus abnormally conditioned, the lowresistance current path around the magnet 23 of the signal transmitter Dwill be interrupted, so tlrat the entire current of the city firedepartment circuit will be caused to flow through the windings of magnet23 of said transmitter, whereupon the lever 24 of said transmitter willbe so moved as to withdraw same from engagement with the disc 25,thereby permittingthecode wheel 26 to rotate so as to formulate thedesired signal in the city fire department circuit. Such rotation of thecode wheel 26 will also cause the disc 39 to abnormally condition thecontacts 38, so as to short-circuit the winding of the electromagnet 23,for a purpose which will be well understood by those skilled in thisart.

After the second deenergization of the magnet 21 of the signal device E,just referred to, should said magnet he again energized before thecompletion of the first revolution of the escape wheel 48, thearmature41 will swingthe lever 42 so as to bring the pin 55 into thepath of the pin 56 to thereby arrest the rotation of said wheel; or,should said magnet-21 remain deenergized until the end of suchrevolution of the escape wheel 48, said lever 42 will nevertheless bemoved to a position which will carry the pin 55 into the path of the pin56, because the projection 57 will raise the arm 44 to a position whichwill carry the pin 58 above the shoulder 59, thereby positioning thelever 42 so that, the movement of the escape wheel 48 will be arrested,and the parts will thereupon piccupy the respective posit-ions shown inlifter the rotation of the escapewheel 48 has been arrested while theelectromagnet 21 is deenergized, as just described, subsequentenergization of said magnet will cause the shoulder 59 to be withdrawnfrom the path of the pin 58, so that the arm 44 will be allowed to fallinto engagement with the cam 40. The parts will then be restored totheir respective normal positions, as would also have been the case hadthe rotation of said escape wheel been interrupted at a time when themagnet 21 was energized.

Subsequent signaling impulses of the active initiating station A willcause repetitions of the operation already described, as far as thesignal device E is concerned but any supplemental abnormal conditioningof the contacts 22 will not affect the electromagnet 23, as such magnetis short-circuited by the contacts38 at the commencement of the signalof the transmitter D, as already pointed out.

Assuming, more specifically, that the formation and the speed ofrotation of the cam 40 is such that the cut-away portion thereof will bepresented to the arm 44 throughout a period commencing two seconds afterthe withdrawal of the pin 55 from the path of the pin 56, and endingthree and one-half seconds after such withdrawal, and that the activeinitiating station A is so arranged that the time interval betweensuccessive functional impulses within a digit is substantially onesecond and the interval between the last impulse of one digit and thefirst impulse of the next digit is substantially two and one-halfseconds; if such active station is arranged to formulate a code signalstarting with the digit 1, the first functional impulse from suchstation will cause withdrawal of pin 55 from the path of the pin 56,thereby initiating a cycle of movement of the cam 40, and the secondfunctional impulse from such station will occur two and one-half secondsafter such withdrawal of the pin 55, at which time the cutaway portionof the cam 40 is presented to the arm 4-4, whereupon the contacts 22will be functionally actuated as hereinbefore more fully explained.

If, however, such active initiating station A is arranged for theformulation of a code signal starting with the digit 2, instead of 1,the second functional impulse from said station will occur one secondafter the withdrawal of the pin 55 from the path of the pin 56, inresponse to the first of such impulses, at which time the rise of thecam 40 is still in the path of the arm 44 thereby preventing said armfrom moving to a position which'will permit the lever 42 to so move inresponse to the spring 45 as to cause functional actuation of thecontacts 22. However, the third functional impulse from such stationwill occur, under these circumstances, three and one-half seconds afterthe with drawal of the pin 55, at which time the out way portion of thecam 40 will be presented to the arm 44, whereupon the contacts 22 willbe functionally actuated as hereinbeforc more fully explained.

If such active initiating station A is arranged for the formulation of acode signal starting with a digit consisting of 23. lor more signalingimpulses, the action of the signaling device E incident to the first,second and third functional impulses from such station will be the sameas when acting in response to a station arranged for the formulation ofa code signal starting with the digit 2, and hereinhefore more fullyexplained, except that the break in the circuit incident to the third ofsuch impulses will occur two seconds after the withdrawal of the pin 55instead of three and one-half seconds, but the cutaway portion of saidcam 40 will nevertheless. be presented/to the arm 44 and the contacts 22will therefore be functionally actuated as hereinbefore described.

Should the circuit of the current source C he accidentally interrupted,as by the rupture of a conductor, the magnet 21 of the signal device Ewill be deenergized, and the escape wheel 48 will be released ashereinbefore described; the lever 42 and the parts associated ltl tltl

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tltll matinee therewith thereupon assuming the respective positionsshown in Fig. 3, and, after the rise of the cam 4-0 has been withdrawnfrom engagement with the arm all, the lever 4-2 will be held, as shownby Fig. at, by engagement therewith of the pin 58, from assuming suchposition as would cause the arm 43 to carry the pin 47 into engagementwith the contacts 22. While said lever 4-9; is being; held by the pin58, as just described, the pin 55 will be positioned in the path of thepin 56, so that the rotation of the wheel 18 will be arrested after ithas completed a revolution; whereupon the lever an, arm at and cam towill be positioned as shown in Fig. ti, to so remain until the magnet 21is again energized. lllpon recnergization of said magnet, the lever 42will he so moved as to permitthe arm 4A: to move into engagement withthe cam 4C0, but will not thereby withdraw the pin 55 from the path ofthe pin Fit). The wheel 48 will therefore he held against rotation andwill, together with the lever 42 and associated parts, be positioned asshown in Fig. 2.

From theforegoing it will he evident that tests or other signals may beformulated in the circuit of the current source tl, without causingfunctional actuation oi the contacts 22, provided that the signalingimpulses of such tests or other signals are so timed that there will beno two functional impulses (either in direct sequence or separated byintewening impulses) which. are separated by time intervals such that,it the wheel 48 was at rest upon the occurrence oi the first ot suchimpulses, either both the closure and the hrealr oit'the second of suchimpulses would occur prior to the time required for the espape wheel ltlto more from its normal.

position to the position at which the rise ot the cam ll) is withdrawnfrom the path oi the arm 44. or else the circuit interruption oil suchsecond impulse would not occur until after the expiration of a time atleast as long as that required tor the wheel 48 to rotate, atterreleasethereot, to a position where the projection 5'? lvould raise thearm ll: high enough to prevent such movement at the lever 42 as wouldcause the arm all to carry the insulating: pin all into engagement withthe contacts 522.

l or example, it the lorn'iation and the speed of rotation of the cam,l-(l is such that the cut-away portion oi" said cam is presented to thearm at throughout a period coinincncinp two seconds after withdrawal ofthe pin 55 from the path of the pin 56 and endingtour seconds utter suchwithdrawal of the pin 55,then in the event ot'the formulation of aseries of functional iin 'iulses, the first tour of which are eachseparated by one-hall second and the titth of which is separated fromthe fourth hy three seconds, none ot' such impulses will occur, alterthe :lirst or initial one of such series of impulses, at a time when thecut-away portion of the cam 40 is presented to the arm all, and suchseries of impulses will therefore not cause functional actuation of thecontacts 22.

It should he noted that, the only requirement to be met, to causefunctional actuation of the signaling contacts 22, is that, after thepin has been withdrawn from the path of the pin 56 in response to theinitial one of the functional impulses incident to formulation of a codesignal in the signal circuit, some succeeding functional impulse shalloccur therein at a time when the cutaway portion of the cam 40 ispresented to the arm 4-4; irrespective of the number of such impulseswhich may occur either preceding or following such succeeding impulse,and irrespective of the duration of any such impulses.

lt should further be noted that this device is not accumulative in thesense of storin; up the effect of impulses received irrespective of theintervals between their arrival in that no impulses effect the ultimatefunction other than when occurring in the timed relation just detinedlIt should be still further noted that the functional iGSpOYlSlVQDQSi-Eof this device is not limited to any one predetermined code, butinstead, this device may be relied upon to functionally respond to eachand every one of a plurality ofindividually ditl erent code signals.

lt should he still. further noted that the selection of code signals maybe such and the arrangement of this device hear such relation theretothat the functional actuation of the signaling contacts 22 will occurduring a cycle of the operation of the device initiated by other thanthe first impulse of a signal, For example. it will be readilyunderstood that, suitable increase in the time interval between groupsof impulses such, for example, as represent the digits of a signal,would give opportunity for this device to come to rest during" theinterval between groups, and that it would not then be necessary thatthe number of strokes in the first digit shall he sutlicient to causefunctional actuation of the sin-- nailing contacts of this device durinthe cycle of its operation initiated by the first stroke of a signal,hut such functional actuation may be accomplished as well duringa cycleinitiated by the first signaling impulse ot' some succeedint digit groupof impulses. lt may therefore be properly said that there is what isherein termed, for want of a better expression, a predeterminedcharacteristic oi situation ot in'ipulses within any signal, which, itthe duration oil the interval het ween them falls within predeterminedmaximum and minimum limits, will cause ell'ective actuation ofthisdevice.

lt will be obvious that the generic ideas, as well as many of thespecific ideas of this tlfi too

invention, may be'practiced with other forms, combination andarrangements of mechanism than those herein shown and described indetail, and it should therefore be understood that this invention is notlimited thereto, other than as may be indicated by the claims.

It should also be understood that the language used in the followingclaims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features ofthe invention herein described and all statements of the scope of theinvention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letarated by a time interval the duration of which fallswithin predetern'iined maximum and minimum limits; in combination with asignal transmitter and an actuating device therefor responsive to suchimpulses and involving means for causing functional actuation of saidtransmitter only when said device is subjected to a plurality ofimpulses some two of which have such predetermined characteristic ofsituation within the signal and are separated by a time interval theduration of which falls within the limits which do not exceed saidmaximum or fall short of said minimum limits, in more than predetermineddegrees.

2. In a signal system,-a signal circuit comprising signal initiatingstations having means thereat for formulating respectively distinctivemulti-impulse code signals, each of which signals comprisesin'ipulses,some two of which have a predetermined characteristic of situationwithin the signal and are separated by a time interval the duration ofwhich falls within predetermined maximum and minimum limits; incombination with signaling mechanism, and an actuating device responsiveto a plurality of diverse arrangements of such signaling impulses andinvolving means for causing functional actuation of said mechanismdependent upon the occurrence of a time interval between some such twoimpulses, irrespective of their-consecutiveness, the duration of whichfalls within the aforesaid limits or exceeds said maximum or falls shortof said minimum limits to not more than a predetermined extent.

3. In a signal system,a signal circuit comprising signal initiatingstations having means thereat for formulating code signals comprising aplurality of impulses with such diversity of characteristics as torender such signals respectively distinctive, in combina-- tion withsignaling mechanism and an actuating device responsive to signalingimpulses for causing actuation of said mechanism and including means torender such actuation dependent upon the occurrence of two signalingimpulses having a predetermined characteristic of situation within thesignal and in timed relationship approximating to a predetermined extentsome characteristic of situation and the time relationship of some twoimpulses of each of said signals, irrespective of the consecutiveness ofsuch impulses.

4. In asignal system,--a signal circuit comprising signal initiatingstations having means thereat for formulating multi-impulse signals,-incombination with signaling mechanism and a device including means tocause actuation of said mechanism upon occurrence of two signalingimpulses having a predetermined characteristic of situation within thesignal, dependent upon the time relationship of such impulses andindependent of their consecutiveness.

5. In a signal system, a signal circuit comprising means for formulatinga plurality of multi-impulse signals having such diversity ofcharacteristics as to render such signals respectively distinctive, incombination with signaling mechanism and a device including means tocause actuation of said mechanism upon occurrence of two signalingimpulses having a predetermined characteristic of situation within thesignal, dependent upon the time relationship of such impulses andindependent of their consecutiveness.

6. In a signal device,an electromagnetically operable mechanismcomprising a detent and contact operating means, a normally wound timetrain having a predetermined operative cycle and involving means foreffecting restraint thereof by said detent at the end of said cycle whensaid mechanism has been operated in one direction, signaling contactsarranged for effective actuation by said contact operating means whensaid ,mechanism has been operated in the opposite direction, meansoperable by said train for actuating said mechanism to render saiddetent effective and to permit disengagement of said detent onlyfollowing predetermincd conditioning of said mechanism, and meanscontrolled by said train and so controlling .said first means as toprevent eli'ectim actuation of said contacts by said mechanism otherthan during a predetermined portion of the operative cycle of saidtrain.

7. In a signal device,-an electromagnetically operable mechanismcomprising a dctent and contact operating means. a retarded operativedevice having a predetermined operative cycle and involving means foreffecting restraint thereof by said detent at the end of said cycle whensaid mechanism llltl till tenants has been operated in one direction,signaling contacts arranged for efiective actuation by said contactoperating meansv when said mechanism has been operated in the oppositedirection, means operable by said device to actuating said ,mechanisn'ito render said detent efl'ective and to permit disengagement of saiddetent only following predetermined conditioning of said mechanism, andmeans controlled by said device and so controlling said first means asto prevent effective actuation of said contacts by said mechanism otherthan during a predetermined portion of the operative cycle of saiddevice.

8. In a signal devicc,-an electromagnetically operable mechanismcomprising a detent and contact operating means, a normally wound timetrain having a predetermined operat1ve cycle and involving means foreffecting restraint thereof by said detent at the end of said cycle whensaid mechanism has been operated in one direction, signaling: contactsarranged for functional actuation by said contact operatinp means whensaid mechanism has been operated in the opposite direction, meanscontrolled by said train for rendering: said mechanism unetl'ective forcausing functional actuation of said contacts at all times other thanduring a period having a predetermined duration and timed relationshipto the commencement of said operative cycle. and means operable by therunning of said train and so controlling" said r first means as torender said detent etlective after such period during" each cycle ofsaid train and to permit disengagement of said detent only followingpredetermined conditioning of said mechanism.

9. in a signal de'vice,-an electromagnetically" operable mechanismcomprising: a detent and contact operating means, a normally wound timetrain having a predetermined operative cycle and involving means for eltectingrestraint thereot by said detent at the end of said cycle whensaid mechanism has been operated in one direction, sigmaling contactsarranged tor effective actuation by said contact operating ,means whensaid mechanism has been operated in the opposite direction, and meanscomprising, a cam associated with said train and an arm arranged to socooperate witi'i said cam and said mechanism as to render said detenteffective lollowing each oil said operative cycles and to permit disoi"'*grement of said detent only tollowin5 predetermined conditioning" ofsaid mechanism 10. in a signal device,an electromagneticalljv operablemechanism comprisinga detent and contact rq'ieratinn means. a normallywound time train havinga predetermined operative cycle and involving"means For et- 't'ectino" rest 'iint thereof by said detent at the end orsaid cycle when said mechanism has been operated in one direction.signailing}, con" tacts arranged for eiltective actuation by saidcontact operating means when said mechanism has been operated in theopposite direction, and means comprising a cam associated with saidtrain and an arm arranged to so cooperate with said cam and saidmechanism as to render said. detent etleetive and to permitdisengagement of said detent only following predetermined conditioningof said mechanism, said cam being of such formation and so controlled bysaid train as to cause said arm to prevent eztl'ective actuation of saidcontacts by said mechanism other than during" a predetermined portion ofthe operative cycle of said train.

11. ltn a signal device,--an electromagnetically operable mechanismcomprising a detent lever and contact operating'means, a detent providedon said lever a member having a timed operative cycle and provided witha projection for engaging said detent at the end of said cycle when saiddetent has been positioned by movement of said lever in one direction,signaling contacts arranged i" or effective actuation by said contactoperatin; means when said lever has been operated in the oppositedirection, and means comprising a cam associated with said member and anarm arranged to cooperate therewith and having a projection adapted toengage said lever for rendering said detent effective and to preventdisengagement oi said detent only following predetermined conditioning0t said mechanism.

12. In a signal device,--an electromagneth cally operable mechanismcomprising a de tent and contact operating means, a normally wound timetrain having a predetermined operative cycle and incolvingr means forett'ectin c restraint thereo't by said detent at the end of said cyclewhen said mechanism has been operated in one direction, signalingcontacts arranged for effective actuation by said contact operatingmeans when said mechanism has been. operated in the opposite direction,and means comprising; a cam associated with said train and an armarranged to so cooperate with said cam and said mechanism as to rendersaid detent eilective and to permit disengagement of said detent onlyfollowing predetermined conditioning of said mechanism" 13. in a signaldevicesari electromagnetically operable mechanism comprising; a detentand contact operating means, a normally wound time train having; apredetermined operative eycle and involving means tor eli ectingrrestraint thereof by said detent at the end of said cycle when saidmechanism has been operated in one direction, sip;- nalineg contactsarranged "for effective actua tion by said contact operating means whensaid mechanism has been operated in the op posite direction, andmeansoperable by said train for actuating" said mechanism to render "illtill

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iltii lldtl said detent effective and to permit disengage ment of saiddetent only following predetermined conditioning of said mechanism.

14. In a signal device,an electromagnetically operable mechanismcomprising a detent and contact operating means, a retarded operativedevice having a predetermined operative cycle and involving means foref- .and arranged for movement from and to said position in response tosignaling impulses, a detent carried by said member, said detent soassociated With said train as to es tablish a predetermined operativecycle therefor and to cause initiation of such cycle upon movement ofsaid member from the normal position thereof, means comprising a cammoved by said train and an arm so governed by said cam as to preventattainment by said member of a certain predetermined position other thanupon movement of said member from normal position during a predeterminedportion of an operative cycle of said train, signaling mechanism, andmeans responsive to said electromagnetically operable 'mechanism forcausing functional actuation of said signaling mechanism only uponattainment by said member of said predetermined position.

16. In a signal device,a retarded operative device, electromageticallyoperable mechanism comprising a controlling member having apredetermined normal position and arranged for movement from and to saidposition in response to signaling impulses, said mechanism so associatedwith said device as to cause initiation of a predetermined operativecycle therefor upon movement of said member from the normal positionthereof, means jointly governed by said device and said mechanism toprevent attainment by said member of a certain predetermined positionother than upon movement of said member from normal position during apredetermined portion of an operative cycle of said device, signalingmechanism, and means responsive to said electromagnetieally operablemechanism for causing functional actuation of said signaling mechanismonly upon attainment py said member of said predetermined posiion.

. 17. In a signal device,a normally wound time train comprising meansfor establishing a predetermined operative cycle therefor and forcausing initiation of such cycle, said means including a member arrangedfor movement from and to a predetermined normal position inresponse tosignaling impulses, means comprising a cam moved by said train and anarm so governed by said cam as to prevent attainment by said member of acertain predetermined abnormal position other than upon movement of saidmember from normal position during a predetermined portion of anoperative cycle of said train, signaling mechanism, and means responsiveto said member for causing functional actuation of said signalingmechanism only upon attainment by said member of said predeterminedposition.

18. In a signal device,a retarded operative device comprising means forcausing initiation of a predetermined operative cycle thereof, saidmeans including a member having a predetermined normal position andarranged for movement from and to said position in response to signalingimpulses, means jointly controlled by said retarded device and saidmember to prevent attainment by said member of a certain predeterminedabnormal position other than upon movement of said member from normalposition during a predetermined portion of an operative cycle of saidretarded device, signaling mechanism. and means responsive to saidmember for causing functional actuation of said signaling mechanism onlyupon attainment by said member of said predetermined position.

19. In a signal device,a retarded opera.- tive device. controllingmechanisinfor said retarded device comprising a member arranged formovement in one direction and the other responsive to signalingimpulses, said mechanism so associated with said retarded device as tocause initiation of a predetermined operative cycle of said retardeddevice upon certain movement of said member. means jointly governed bysaid retarded device and said member to prevent attainment by saidmember of a certain predetermined position other than incident tomovement of said member toward such position at a time occurring Withinan interval measured by the action of said retarded device and startingsubsequent to the commencement of such action and of duration at leastapproximately as great as one-half of the minimum interval betweenmovements imparted to said member in a given direction by impulses oisignals for response to which said device is intended. signalingmechanism, and means responsive to said member for causing functionalactuation of said signaling mechanism only upon attainment by saidmember of said predetermined position.

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r aaaaaa 20. In a signal device,a retarded operative device,'controllingmechanism for said retarded device comprising a member having apredetermined normal position and arranged for movement from and to saidposition in response to signaling impulses, said mechanism so associatedwith said retarded device as to cause initiation of a predeterminedoperative cycle of said retarded device upon movement ofsaid member fromthe normal position thereof, means jointly governed by said retardeddevice and said member to render attainment by said member of a certainpredetermined abnormal position dependent upon movement of said memberto normal position after the expiration of a certain minimum timefollowed by movement of said member away from normal position before theexpiration of a certain maximum time measured by the activity of saidretarded device from the initiation thereof, signaling mechanism, andmeans responsive to said member for causing functional actuation of saidsignaling mechanism only upon attainment by said member of saidpredetermined abnormal position.

21. In a signal device, a controlling member arranged for movement inone direction and the other in response to signalin impulses, signalingmechanism arrange for functional actuation by movement of said member ina certain direction to a predetermined positioma retarded operativedevice for restraining movement of said member to such predeterminedposition and involving means for rendering such movement dependentuponthe occurrence of preceding movements of said member in said certain oneand the other directions and upon the tervention of an interval betweensuch movements of said member in said certain direction, the duration ofwhich interval is established within certain limits by the action ofsaid retarded device.

In witness whereof ll hereunto subscribe my name this 4th day of March,192a.

GEORGE ALFRED JACKSON

